Chaplain Outreach

This page is for all chaplain activities. Chaplains, chaplain assistants, prospective chaplains, and those who want services from chaplains will find information. This for both military and civilian chaplains in all institutions, and is open to current and prior military as well as civilians. Chaplains read on. Those who want to be new chaplains, to change their endorsement, or to be lay leaders working with chaplains, information is below.

Dear Chaplain

Dear Chaplain: This page and the assistance we offer is outreach to help you help military personnel who seek a secular approach and a nontheist community. While MAAF has run into chaplains interested solely in spreading their own ideas or just doing a Sunday service for their own denomination, we have confidence that that is not the norm and that chaplains in general are sincerely interested in providing support to all service members on the terms of that service member. We’re here to help with information and materials. You know there are nontheists in your unit. Do they come to you for help? Would you really understand their position and community enough to point them in the right direction? Let us help you. Just as importantly, let us show our community that chaplains are willing and able to support atheists and humanists.

If you are unfamiliar with Humanism, consider the following short explanation: Scientific naturalism sees the lens of science as the best way to understand the world, assigning certainty only according to the weight of evidence. Humanists are skeptical of evidence through any source, especially revelation, tradition, or authority. Right actions follow from an ultimate value of human-flourishing, human-based rational ethics and our evolved empathy and instincts as social animals. Tools such as deontology, virtue ethics, consequentialism, and utilitarianism are used in concert to create a solid foundation for ethical action in any given situation. A humanist makes meaning in life by viewing the world through the lens of scientific naturalism, acting according to human-based, rational ethics, and by seeking lasting personal fulfillment through the advancement of oneself, one’s community, and humanity.

For longer primers, view these links: Humanism and Humanists by the Humanist Society, the church organization of humanists, or the MAAF FAQ on Humanism. These summaries should only be a first introduction for any chaplain interested in understanding humanist beliefs and the nontheistic perspective well enough to support humanists and other nontheists in their care.

Humanists are also atheists, but that’s not really the point. Several important stories below lay out issues of belief and policy in more detail:

Humanist chaplain – application information to change endorsement, be a chaplain, or to be a lay leader; and our chaplain covenant.

Minimum Statement of Support

The MAAF Chaplain Outreach Program and is intended to be a minimum standard of commitment to equal treatment of all service members as well as respect for religious diversity within the military. Signing onto this statement is a way to communicate to nontheist service members that chaplains will help everyone. Chaplains and chaplain offices are invited to publicly show support by contacting MAAF. MAAF equally seeks feedback from any chaplain unwilling to sign on for any reason.

Nontheistic service members including atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and others identifying as nontheists serve honorably within our nation’s military. Chaplains should support nontheistic service members with the same enthusiasm, resources, and services that they provide for theistic service members. Leaders should not use their position to influence individuals or the chain of command to adopt the leader’s own personal religion. These are minimum standards of conduct to which all service members, especially chaplains and commanders, should adhere.

MAAF also supported the application of Humanist Society Celebrant Jason Heap for Navy Chaplaincy. Several organizations and individuals joined an interfaith sign-on letter in support. While there is no current application pending, we hope all chaplains will join over 130 denominational and chaplain leaders in support of humanist chaplaincy. With or without a Humanist Chaplain, the military chaplaincy and those it serves suffer when chaplains deny Humanists equal and authentic Humanist support through the chaplain office.

Official Chaplain Headquarters

The following addresses are provided for members and supporters to communicate this program to chaplain leaders to encourage them to contact MAAF for training development, materials, and better support of nontheists. (2017, confirming phone)

You can make a huge difference being a leader in the humanist community (and this applies to atheists, freethinkers, and other nontheists). Being a lay leader requires commitment to humanism and a continuing commitment to personal moral, emotional, and intellectual development. As a certified representative, you can work with the military, veterans affairs, hospitals, and other institutions to support atheists and humanists. While this program is tailored for the military, civilians can apply to work with the military. In addition, endorsement can be used for military and civilian institutions.

Department of Defense requirements: Lay leaders require dedication more than anything, but the Department of Defense has stringent and Christian-centric standards including a single 72-hour graduate accredited university degree in a related field, two years of congregational leadership experience, and must be age 40 or lower. Chaplain endorsement can be conferred even if the candidate does not meet Department of Defense requirements, but for now, those interested in military chaplaincy should be aware of restrictions.

Those interested in DoD chaplaincy will need a 72-hour MDiv program. While humanists may have exceptions in the future, MAAF supports the MDiv route as it provides a wide range of religious instruction that will be valuable in pluralistic chaplaincy work. MAAF recommends the Saybrook University program in conjunction with the Humanist Institute. However, this will only work if the candidate has a full 72-hour Divinity program. Other more traditional programs who have shown openness to humanist candidates include Meadville-Lombard (UU focus), University of the West (Buddhist focus), Brite (Texas Christian U, Disciples of Christ), Starr-King, Harvard, Andover-Newton, and Union.

Because the Humanist Society has a prior fully-formed endorsement process, MAAF has worked with them to provide administrative support within their existing framework. MAAF also worked directly with the Society to ensure the process reflects the highest standards.

View the endorsement guidelines including the chaplain covenant and then complete the application process. Apply as a celebrant (clergy), lay leader, and/or chaplain. Regardless of endorsement, MAAF or the Society may require additional agreements related to reporting and conduct in certain positions.

MAAF also accepts direct endorsement requests for lay leaders and chaplains, in certain cases. To apply directly, join MAAF and you will be able to present your application. However, the Society process is encouraged.

About MAAF

MAAF is an independent 501c3 charitable and tax-deductible DC Nonprofit Corporation. MAAF shares office, staff, and systems with the American Humanist Association as of 2016.
1821 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036 * (202) 656-MAAF (6223) * community@militaryatheists.orgMAAF is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any government agency. Statements by individuals on the site are personal in nature and not representative of the DoD or any government agency unless otherwise noted.Fighting for the Freedoms We Defend